Apparatus and method for window installation

Abstract

A molding for mounting a window panel in a window opening larger than the window panel includes a yieldable elastomeric body having a first groove adapted to receive an edge of the window panel and a second groove adapted to receive an edge of the body panel. The molding has a deformable hollow tubular member embedded therein and extending in parallel relationship with the grooves. After the molding and the window panel are installed in the opening the tubular member is crushed and the deformation of the tubular member spreads the elastomeric molding into permanent engagement with the window panel and/or the body panel to thereby permanently and sealingly mount the window in the vehicle body. The molding preferably includes a base portion which fits between the edge of the glass and the edge of the body panel and first and second spaced apart legs which define the groove receiving the edge of one of the panels. Third and fourth legs also extend from the body to define the second groove receiving the other panel. The fourth leg is shorter than the other legs so that the short leg facilitates assembly of the molding with respect to the two panels. Crushing of the tubular member spreads the fourth leg to permanently and fixedly mount the window on the vehicle body.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A device for mounting and sealing the edge of a window panel in a vehicle body panel having an opening defined by an edge, comprising: a one-piece yieldable elastomeric molding having a first groove adapted to receive an edge of the window panel and a second groove adapted to receive an edge of the body panel, said molding having a deformable hollow tubular member embedded therein and extending in parallel relationship with the grooves, said tubular member acting upon deformation thereof to spread the molding into encapsulating containment of the window panel and the body panel whereby the molding acts to permanently and fixedly and sealingly mount the window in the vehicle body.   
     
     
       2. A device for mounting and sealing the edge of a window panel in a vehicle body panel having an opening defined by an edge, comprising: a one-piece yieldable elastomeric molding having a an H-shaped cross-section including a base portion adapted to be interposed between the edges of the panels, first and second spaced apart legs defining a first groove for receiving the edge of one of the panels, third and fourth spaced apart legs defining a second groove for receiving the edge of the body panel, three of the four legs having a sufficient length to overlie and engage the panel to and effectively retain and contain the edges of the panels in the grooves of the molding, and the fourth leg being shorter in length than the other legs, and a deformable hollow tubular member embedded in the molding and extending in parallel relationship with the fourth leg and acting upon deformation thereof to spread the fourth leg into overlying engagement of the adjacent panel whereby the molding acts to permanently and fixedly and sealingly mount the window in the vehicle body.   
     
     
       3. A device for mounting and sealing the edge of a window panel in a vehicle body panel having an opening defined by an edge, comprising: a one-piece yieldable elastomeric molding having a base portion adapted to be interposed between the edge of the panels, a pair of legs projecting from the base portion and adapted to respectively overlie and engage with the window panel and the vehicle body panel to thereby position the molding with respect to the window panel and the vehicle body panel, and a bulbous end portion integral with the base portion at the end thereof opposite the pair of legs, said bulbous end portion having a deformable hollow tubular member embedded therein, said deformable hollow member acting upon deformation thereof to spread the bulbous end portion into overlying engagement of the window panel and the body panel whereby the molding acts to permanently and fixedly and sealingly mount the window in the vehicle body.   
     
     
       4. A vehicle body window installation comprising: a body panel having a window opening defined by an edge of a body panel;   a one-piece window panel somewhat smaller than the opening and having an edge spaced from the edge of the opening in the body panel;   and a yieldable elastomeric molding having a first groove adapted to receive an edge of the window panel and a second groove adapted to receive an edge of the body panel so that the molding fills the space between the panels, said molding having a deformable hollow tubular member embedded therein and extending in parallel relationship with the grooves around the window panel and the opening, said tubular member acting upon deformation thereof to spread the molding into encapsulating containment of the widow panel and the body panel whereby the molding acts to permanently and fixedly and sealingly mount the window in the vehicle body.   
     
     
       5. A method of mounting the edge of a window panel in an opening defined by the edge of a vehicle body panel; installing a molding between the window panel and the body panel, said molding being of a yieldable elastomeric material and having a first groove adapted to receive an edge of the window panel and a second groove adapted to receive an edge of the body panel, said molding having a deformable hollow tubular member embedded therein and extending in parallel relationship with the grooves; and   forcibly compressing the molding and the deformable hollow tubular member so that the molding is spread into encapsulating containment of the window panel and the body panel and the hollow tubular member is permanently deformed whereby the deformed hollow tubular member and the yieldable elastomeric material act to permanently and fixedly and sealingly mount the window in the vehicle body.